Local Coffee Shops and Reviews
Starbucks: 3 Stars The most attractive feature of Starbucks by far is it’s availability. With a new location around every corner and flexible hours, Starbucks is a go-to in any situation. However, it does face the plight of any large scale company: lower quality of the product in exchange for easy access. Essentially, Starbucks is the fast food of coffee. They have good enough coffee to satisfy a craving, but it’s not the place to go to make generalizations about the drink as a whole. Dana St. Roasting Co. : 5 Stars This is a small cafe in downtown Mountain View, so small you could almost miss it walking by. It’s nestled on a side street off of Castro, creating a hidden gem for Mountain View locals. As the name suggests, this coffee shop roasts their own coffee beans, putting them a step ahead of most competition. While most, if not all, coffee shops get their beans pre-roasted from an external outlet, this shop gains the advantage of freshness and customizable flavor by having them right there at their disposal. This creates a cup of coffee with a unique taste that you won’t find anywhere else. Red Rock Cafe: 4.5 Stars Another Mountain View staple, Red Rock Cafe, is a more mainstream shop in downtown, attracting locals and visitors alike due to their central spot on the Castro Boulevard. This cafe is truly an all-around experience, having a red glow to everything from the walls to the in-house cups and utensils for their coffee and pastries. They also maintain a unique setup with two floors, the first being the main cafe and the second a quiet space for work or studying. This creates an environment where everyone can find their spot to enjoy some of the artisan coffee Red Rock creates. Academic Coffee: 4.5 Stars A minute away on Williams St. in downtown, this is an ND favorite. Because of the proximity, this tiny shop has become a focal point of the school community, welcoming both ND and SJSU students who flock for morning and afternoon coffee. As well as attracting a younger demographic, the shop also harbors various art installations from local artists, creating a hipster-like vibe that fits right into the modern art scene in downtown San Jose. Philz: 5 Stars Philz is a popular coffee chain, but in my opinion, their standard of quality is higher. (In comparison to Starbucks.) What sets Philz apart is their use of various different beans for all their different drinks. They boast many different types of brews and this gives each drink a unique taste from the last. Each drink feels like a specially crafted order personalized just for you. Philz also has a very warm environment supported by their baristas who are always there to welcome you with a smile. Verve Coffee: 4 Stars A minute away from the beach, this little shop and roastery in downtown Santa Cruz is a local go-to. The shop maintains a chill scene with an open space patio for studying or enjoying their coffee. Like Dana St. Roasting Co., Verve roasts their own beans as well. In fact, the small company serves as a distributor of beans throughout the area, with one outlet being Red Rock Cafe. This makes their flavor not only a Santa Cruz favorite, but a favorite around the bay as well.
